Classrooms closed: thousands of Oldham students affected as teachers walk out

Thousands of parents and pupils in Oldham face disruption today as teachers walk out in a dispute over pay.

Members of the National Education Union (NEU), the largest education union in the UK, are striking today in the first of seven days of industrial action.

Schools and colleges across the town have been affected by the strike, including some which are closed completely to the majority of pupils.

The joint general secretary of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, said that teachers are seeing day-to-day disruption in schools.

"They're saying you can't get maths teachers, you can't get chemistry teachers, you can't get computing teachers. In primary schools you can't find special needs assistants, because they're taking jobs in supermarkets where they are paid better", he told BBC News.

The Union says parents support the strike action and calls on the government to negotiate.

"There is a real deep and lasting anger in the profession at the neglect of children at the fact that education is so badly underfunded, by the fact that so many teachers feel forced to leave"

According to the NEU, 85% of schools will be impacted in some way, however Education Secretary Gillian Keegan says the "majority" of schools will be open even if there are some changes to the usual school day, as a result of fewer staff.

Striking staff have been on picket lines across Oldham this morning, including at Oldham Sixth Form College, Crompton House School, and the Oasis Academies.

Many classrooms are closed today, with schools prioritising vulnerable students and those preparing for major exams.

Parents have been emailed to ask that they find alternative arrangements for their children today as a lack of teaching staff has affected many schools.

Oldham Council have confirmed that a “substantial number of schools” have been affected by the NEU action, with a small number fully closed and the rest partially closed.

“In line with the DfE guidance where schools are partially open to pupils they are generally open to very  limited cohorts of vulnerable pupils or pupils with an Education, Health & Care Plan.  

“The impact on schools will vary as not all teachers are members of the NEU. Oldham Council therefore, have engaged with unions and school leaders in the run up to the strike and issued local guidance relating to health and safety assessments and picketing to complement the national guidance.”  

Parents are advised to visit school websites and social media feeds for the latest information.

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